Warne WC hopes in peril, dislocates bowling shoulder

Melbourne: Australia's champion leg spinner Shane Warne is in doubt for next February's World Cup after dislocating his bowling shoulder on Sunday.

Warne dived to stop a single off his own bowling and landed with his full weight on his right elbow during a One-day cricket match against England here on Sunday. He was carried from the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a stretcher in great pain and the shoulder joint was pushed back into place in the dressing room. Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott confirmed that Warne had suffered a dislocated right shoulder.

"It was put back in by the team doctor and it went back in really well," said Alcott shortly after Australia's 89-run victory. "We need to see if any further damage has been caused by the dislocation and we need to establish if there has been any bone injury," said Alcott. "He will be seen by the same specialist who operated on the shoulder four years ago.

Initially, it could be four to six weeks but it depends on what else is found over the next couple of days." Stuart MacGill, who bowled with success against England on their last tour here, is expected to be Warne's leg spinning replacement for the remaining two Ashes Tests against England in Melbourne and Sydney.